Can Bearded Dragons eat Pill Bugs ( Rolly Pollies )?

Yes, Bearded Dragons can eat Pill Bugs, also known as rolly-pollies or woodlice.

Pill bugs are not toxic to bearded dragons, but they are not a preferred food item for them. In general, bearded dragons do not actively seek out pill bugs as prey, and they may not find them very appetizing.

Additionally, pill bugs have a hard exoskeleton that can be difficult for bearded dragons to digest properly. Eating too many hard-shelled insects like pill bugs can lead to digestive issues like impaction, which can be a serious health concern for your pet.

Are Rolly Pollies or Pill Bugs part of a wild Bearded Dragon’s typical diet?

Rolly Pollies, also known as pill bugs or woodlice, are not a typical part of a wild Bearded Dragon’s diet. While Bearded Dragons are known to eat a variety of insects in the wild, they generally prefer larger prey items such as crickets, grasshoppers, and locusts.

In their natural habitat, Bearded Dragons also consume plant matter such as leaves, flowers, and fruits, which provide them with essential vitamins and minerals. However, their primary source of nutrition comes from insects, which are rich sources of protein.

Although Rolly Pollies are not toxic and can be consumed by Bearded Dragons, they are not a preferred or common food item for them. As I mentioned earlier, their hard exoskeleton can be difficult to digest and may cause digestive issues if consumed in large quantities.

It’s always a good idea to offer a varied and balanced diet to your Bearded Dragon that includes a range of appropriate insects and vegetables.

Do Rolly Pollies eat things that might harm Bearded Dragons?

Rolly Pollies, also known as pill bugs or woodlice, are not harmful to Bearded Dragons as they do not produce any toxins or venom that could harm them. However, if the Rolly Pollies are living in an environment that is contaminated with pesticides or other harmful chemicals, they could potentially be harmful if ingested by the Bearded Dragon.

Additionally, Rolly Pollies are detritivores, which means they feed on decaying plant matter and other organic material. While this is not harmful to Bearded Dragons, it’s important to make sure that the Rolly Pollies you offer as food have not been exposed to any harmful substances.

In general, it’s recommended to offer a variety of safe and nutritious insects to your Bearded Dragon, rather than relying solely on Rolly Pollies as a food source. 

What’s the best way to prepare Rolly Pollies or Pill Bugs for Bearded Dragons to eat?

If you decide to offer Rolly Pollies or Pill Bugs (woodlice) as food for your Bearded Dragon, it’s important to prepare them properly to ensure that they are safe and nutritious. Here are the steps to prepare Rolly Pollies or Pill Bugs for your Bearded Dragon:

• Source healthy Rolly Pollies: Make sure to collect or purchase Rolly Pollies from a reputable source that has not been exposed to harmful chemicals or pesticides.

• Gut-load the Rolly Pollies: Feed the Rolly Pollies a nutritious diet for at least 24 hours before offering them to your Bearded Dragon. This will help ensure that they are packed with essential vitamins and minerals.

• Dust the Rolly Pollies with calcium powder: Before feeding the Rolly Pollies to your Bearded Dragon, dust them with calcium powder. This will help ensure that your Bearded Dragon is getting enough calcium in their diet, which is important for maintaining strong bones and overall health.

• Offer the Rolly Pollies as a treat: While Rolly Pollies or Pill Bugs are safe for Bearded Dragons to eat, they are not a preferred or common food item for them. Offer them as a treat, in addition to a balanced diet of appropriate insects and vegetables.

• Monitor your Bearded Dragon: After offering Rolly Pollies to your Bearded Dragon, monitor them for any signs of digestive issues, such as bloating or constipation. If you notice any issues, discontinue offering Rolly Pollies and consult with a veterinarian who specializes in reptiles.

How many Pill Bugs should you feed to your Bearded Dragon?

The number of pill bugs you should feed to your Bearded Dragon depends on the size of your pet and its dietary needs. In general, pill bugs should be considered a treat and not a staple food item in a Bearded Dragon’s diet.

As a general rule of thumb, you can offer 2-3 pill bugs per feeding to a baby Bearded Dragon, 4-6 to a juvenile Bearded Dragon, and up to 10 to an adult Bearded Dragon. However, it’s important to remember that every Bearded Dragon is different, and their dietary needs may vary depending on their size, age, and activity level.

Can Rollie Pollies make my Bearded Dragon sick?

Rolly Pollies, also known as pill bugs or woodlice, are not toxic or harmful to Bearded Dragons when consumed in small quantities. However, if you feed your Bearded Dragon too many Rolly Pollies, it may experience digestive issues such as bloating or constipation.

Additionally, if the Rolly Pollies you offer as food have been exposed to harmful chemicals or pesticides, they could potentially make your Bearded Dragon sick. It’s important to source Rolly Pollies from a reputable source and avoid collecting them from areas that may have been contaminated.

It’s also important to remember that Rolly Pollies should not be a staple food item in a Bearded Dragon’s diet. While they can be offered as an occasional treat, it’s important to provide a balanced diet of appropriate insects and vegetables to ensure that your Bearded Dragon is getting all the necessary nutrients.

What are the nutritional benefits of feeding Pill Bug to Bearded Dragons?

Pill bugs, also known as Rolly Pollies or woodlice, can be a nutritious addition to a Bearded Dragon’s diet when fed in moderation. Here are some of the nutritional benefits of feeding pill bugs to Bearded Dragons:

• Protein: Pill bugs are high in protein, which is an essential nutrient for Bearded Dragons. Protein helps to support muscle growth, repair, and maintenance.

• Calcium: Pill bugs are a good source of calcium, which is important for maintaining strong bones and overall health in Bearded Dragons.

• Fiber: Pill bugs are a good source of fiber, which can help regulate digestion in Bearded Dragons and prevent constipation.

• Vitamins and minerals: Pill bugs contain a variety of vitamins and minerals, including vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin B6, and iron, which are all important for maintaining a healthy immune system, supporting growth and development, and preventing anemia.

• Low fat: Pill bugs are low in fat, which can be beneficial for Bearded Dragons who are prone to obesity.

• Omega-3 fatty acids: Pill bugs contain omega-3 fatty acids, which can help reduce inflammation and support heart health in Bearded Dragons.

• Hydration: Pill bugs have a high moisture content, which can help keep Bearded Dragons hydrated.

• Easily digestible: Pill bugs are easily digestible for Bearded Dragons, which can help prevent digestive issues.

• Enrichment: Feeding Bearded Dragons a varied diet, including pill bugs, can provide enrichment and mental stimulation.

• Appetite stimulation: Offering pill bugs as a treat can help stimulate the appetite of picky eaters.

• Cost-effective: Pill bugs are often inexpensive and easy to find, making them a cost-effective food item for Bearded Dragons.

• Natural food source: In the wild, Bearded Dragons may naturally consume pill bugs as part of their diet.

• No allergens: Pill bugs are not known to cause allergic reactions in Bearded Dragons or humans.

• Taurine: Pill bugs contain taurine, which is an essential amino acid for Bearded Dragons.

• Low in phosphorus: Pill bugs are low in phosphorus, which is important for Bearded Dragons with kidney issues.

• Feeding response: Some Bearded Dragons may have a strong feeding response to pill bugs, making them an effective tool for training and bonding with your pet.

• Versatile: Pill bugs can be fed live or dried, making them a versatile food item for Bearded Dragons.

• Gut loading: Pill bugs can be gut-loaded with nutritious foods to increase their nutritional value for Bearded Dragons.

• Nutritious treat: Offering pill bugs as a treat can help add variety to a Bearded Dragon’s diet and provide additional nutrients.

• Easy to handle: Pill bugs are easy to handle and do not pose a risk of biting or injuring Bearded Dragons or their owners.

What are the risks of feeding Pill Bugs or Rolly Pollies to Bearded Dragons?

While pill bugs (also known as Rolly Pollies or woodlice) can be a nutritious addition to a Bearded Dragon’s diet when fed in moderation, there are some risks to be aware of. Here are some potential risks of feeding pill bugs to Bearded Dragons:

• Choking: Pill bugs are small and round, which can pose a choking hazard for Bearded Dragons, particularly if they are not chewed properly.

• Impaction: If Bearded Dragons eat too many pill bugs or are fed too large of a size, they can develop an impaction in their digestive system. This can lead to a blockage and other digestive issues.

• Pesticide exposure: If pill bugs are collected from outside, they may have been exposed to pesticides or other chemicals. These can be harmful to Bearded Dragons if ingested.

• Parasites: Pill bugs may harbor parasites or other microorganisms that can be harmful to Bearded Dragons if ingested.

• Nutritional imbalances: If Bearded Dragons are fed too many pill bugs or if they are the only food item in their diet, they may not receive all the necessary nutrients for their overall health and well-being.

• Allergic reactions: While rare, some Bearded Dragons may have an allergic reaction to pill bugs.

• Calcium-to-phosphorus ratio: Pill bugs have a low calcium-to-phosphorus ratio, which can contribute to metabolic bone disease if they are fed in excess.

• Inappropriate size: If pill bugs are too big for Bearded Dragons to swallow or if they are fed life and able to crawl out of the enclosure, they can cause injury or stress to the reptile.

• Compromised immune system: Bearded Dragons with compromised immune systems may be more susceptible to illness or infection from eating pill bugs.

• Bacterial contamination: Pill bugs can carry bacteria that can be harmful to Bearded Dragons if ingested.

• Salmonella: While uncommon, pill bugs have the potential to carry Salmonella, which can cause serious illness in Bearded Dragons and humans.

• Mold or fungal contamination: If pill bugs are kept in humid or damp conditions, they may develop mold or fungal contamination that can be harmful to Bearded Dragons.

• Fatty liver disease: If Bearded Dragons are fed too many insects, including pill bugs, that are high in fat, they can develop fatty liver disease.

• Overfeeding: Overfeeding pill bugs or other insects can lead to obesity and other health issues in Bearded Dragons.

• Insecticide exposure: If pill bugs have been exposed to insecticides or other toxic chemicals, they can pose a risk to Bearded Dragons if ingested.

• Changes in behavior: Feeding Bearded Dragons a high proportion of pill bugs or other insects can lead to changes in behavior, such as increased aggression or agitation.

• Inadequate nutrition: If Bearded Dragons are fed a diet that is primarily made up of pill bugs, they may not receive adequate nutrition, which can lead to health problems.

• Lack of variety: While pill bugs can provide variety in a Bearded Dragon’s diet, feeding only one type of insect can lead to a lack of dietary variety.

• Enclosure contamination: If pill bugs are not properly contained in their own enclosure or are fed directly in the Bearded Dragon’s enclosure, they can contaminate the environment with feces or other waste.

• Difficulty in digestion: Some Bearded Dragons may have difficulty digesting the chitin in pill bugs, which can lead to digestive problems.

Nick James

I am Nick James, I have been three male beardies since 2015. I love to take care of my pets and their diet. Here, I am sharing my personal experiences and strategies to grow up your cute pet.